New training at the club’s WiFi-connected “Lift Zone” will help kids build the skills they need to succeed in school, prepare for the workforce
March 20, 2024 – Comcast announced today that it has awarded the Boys & Girls Club of Joliet a $10,000 grant to support digital skills training at the organization’s Lift Zone, which Comcast opened onsite in 2021. Lift Zones are WiFi-connected spaces that allow students to get online to do schoolwork and adults to build their digital skills, search for jobs, and access an array of social services.
“Providing resources and support to our communities is at the forefront of what we do,” said Chantal Gamboa, Boys & Girls Club of Joliet Executive Director. “We appreciate Comcast’s continued commitment to our club. This grant will help our members develop the skills needed to thrive in our digital world.”
The Boys & Girls Club of Joliet Lift Zone is one of more than 1,250 Lift Zones nationwide, including more than 90 in this region alone. Lift Zones also compliment Comcast’s Internet Essentials program, a low-cost Internet adoption program for income-constrained households, which has helped more than 10 million people across the country – 1.9 million people in Illinois – connect to the Internet at home since it launched in 2011.
“For more than a decade, we’ve worked with hundreds of community partners across Illinois to help bridge the digital divide,” said Carl Jones, Jr., Comcast’s Regional Vice President of Government and External Affairs. “Together, we’ve made considerable progress, but there is more work to do. I’m proud that Comcast continues to make investments and provide solutions to further our commitment to the communities we serve and to this critical issue.”
This grant marks the continuation of Comcast’s more than 10-year partnership with the Boys & Girls Club of Joliet. The support for the club is part of Project UP, Comcast’s $1 billion commitment to advance digital equity and help create a future of unlimited possibilities.
About the Boys & Girls Club of Joliet
BGCJ mission is to enable all young people, especially those who need us most, to reach their full potential as productive, caring, responsible citizens. The club provides its members:
- A safe place to learn and grow;
- Ongoing relationships with caring, adult professionals;
- Life-enhancing programs and character development experiences; and
- Hope and opportunity for all.
About Comcast Corporation
Comcast Corporation (Nasdaq: CMCSA) is a global media and technology company. From the connectivity and platforms we provide, to the content and experiences we create, our businesses reach hundreds of millions of customers, viewers, and guests worldwide. We deliver world-class broadband, wireless, and video through Xfinity, Comcast Business, and Sky; produce, distribute, and stream leading entertainment, sports, and news through brands including NBC, Telemundo, Universal, Peacock, and Sky; and bring incredible theme parks and attractions to life through Universal Destinations & Experiences. Visit www.comcastcorporation.com for more information.
About Comcast’s Greater Chicago Region
With more than 4,000 local employees, Comcast’s Greater Chicago Region (https://chicago.comcast.com) serves customers in central and northern Illinois, including the Chicago area, Northern Indiana and Southwest Michigan. “Like” Comcast’s Greater Chicago Region on Facebook by visiting @Comcast. “Follow” Comcast’s Greater Chicago Region on Twitter at @ComcastIllinois.
